In Short
The Loyola University Chicago softball team battled but fell in two close games with Central Michigan and Iowa today at The Spring Games in Madeira, Florida. The Ramblers move to 12-8 overall this season and will play one more game in The Spring Games before beginning conference play.
 
How It Happened
 
Game 1: Central Michigan 4, Loyola 3
 
Madison Ebeling opened the scoring in the bottom of the first, doubling down the left field line. Jessica Shields was on third after a walk and a stolen base and was able to score for a 1-0 Loyola lead.
 
Central Michigan tied it up in the top of the second, drilling an RBI single to left field. The Ramblers answered quickly, as Jessica Shields reached on a CMU error and Sophie Van Acker and Katie Polaski scored.
 
The Chippewas reclaimed the lead in the next inning after a single and sacrifice bunt put a runner on second. The next batter came up and hit an RBI double and CMU was only down 3-2. After a walk, another single and two errors from Loyola, the Chippewas were able to score two more runs. The only other hit for the Ramblers was a single from Sinskul in the bottom of the third.
 
Game 2: Iowa 3, Loyola 1
The first three innings were scoreless until Iowa hit an RBI single for a 1-0 lead.
 
With their last chance to tie it, Sinskul singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Katie Polaski came up next and hit a double to left center and Sinskul scored.
 
The game remained tied 1-1 headed into the eighth inning, but Iowa was the one to end it. The Hawkeyes hit a walk-off homer to win, 3-1.
 
A Look At The Numbers
- Katie Polaski totaled one run, three hits, one RBI, a double, triple and stolen base.
- Madison Ebeling tallied three hits, one RBI and one double.
- Nova Sinskul had two hits and one run.
 
Up Next:
The Ramblers face South Dakota State in their final game at The Spring Games tomorrow at 1 p.m. CT.